The five National Outdoor Badges recognize scout achievement in camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, and adventure. Each may be earned by a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who "demonstrates both knowledge and experience" in one of the subject areas. Each badge requires the scout to earn First Class rank, at least two relevant merit badges, and extensive experience in the area "under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America," according to the 2011 edition of Boy Scout Requirements. The National Outdoor Badges form the core requirements for the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement.

Camping Badge

4. Complete 25 days and nights of camping—including six consecutive days (five nights) of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America—including nights camped as part of requirements 1 through 3 above.

Devices

A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 nights of camping
A silver device is earned for each additional 100 nights of camping.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of nights camping.

Hiking

3. Complete 100 miles of hiking or backpacking under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including miles hiked as part of requirement 2.

Devices

A gold device may be earned for each additional 50 miles hiked.
A silver device is earned for each additional 200 miles of hiking.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of miles hiking.

5. Complete at least 50 hours of any combination of swimming, canoeing, rowing, small-boat sailing, or whitewater activity under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including time spent in requirements 2 through 4.

Devices

A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of aquatic activity.
A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of aquatic activity.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of hours of aquatic activity.

Riding

2. Complete at least one of the following: Cycling merit badge and 100 miles of cycling; or Horsemanship merit badge and 50 miles of horseback riding.

3. Complete 200 miles of riding activities, either on a non-motorized bike or a stock animal, under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including the miles in requirement 2.

= Devices

A gold device may be earned for each additional 100 miles of riding.
A silver device is earned for each additional 400 miles of riding.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of miles of riding.

Adventure

1. Earn the First Class rank.

2. Complete either the Wilderness Survival or the Emergency Preparedness merit badge.

3. Complete 10 of any combination or repetition of the following adventure activities under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America:

a. A backpacking trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply

b. A canoeing, rowing, or sailing trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 50 miles without food resupply

c. A whitewater trip lasting two or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply

d. A climbing activity on open rock, following Climb On Safely principles, that includes camping overnight

e. Earn the National Historic Trails Award

f. Earn the 50-Miler Award

g. Attend any national high-adventure base or any nationally recognized local high-adventure or specialty-adventure program

Items 3a-g may be repeated as desired. A single activity that satisfies multiple items in 3a-g may be counted as separate activities at the discretion of the unit leader. Similarly, a single activity that doubles an item in 3a-d may be counted as two activities at the discretion of the unit leader.

Devices

A gold device may be earned for each additional five activities.
A silver device is earned for each additional 20 activities.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of activities.

5. Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider.

6. Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator.

7. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your troop, team, patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas: hiking and backpacking, aquatic activities, or riding. Include in each outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew.

8. Complete at least one of the following:

b. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop, team, patrol, or squad.

a. Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft, nature/environment, climbing, or COPE.